IT was quite a different start to previous skiing holidays, but a scenic train ride was far more pleasurable than being packed on to a transfer bus full of tourists.

After landing at Zurich Airport following a two-hour flight from Birmingham, we set off – on time, of course, given the punctual service we’ve come to expect from the Swiss.

Two stops and two-and-a-half hours later, we arrived at Davos Dorf Station with the slopes within touching distance. There was a nice buzz about the place, set high in a beautiful valley and dwarfed by mountains.

From my research, I’d learned that Davos was arguably the very first place in the Alps to develop its slopes.

The railway up the Parsenn was one of the first built for skiers in 1931, and the first draglift was built on the Bolgen nursery slopes in 1934.

With so much history about Davos and nearby Klosters, there was only one place to find out more – the Wintersport Museum. And what a fascinating afternoon it turned out to be.

There was so much to see, from the first lifts built and the old fashioned wooden skis to the modern-day snowboards. Making our way to the hotel, I was amazed by how big Davos was. The ski resort ambience is lacking somewhat and the resort feels more like a city than a village. It had started off as a health resort, with many of the large hotels built as sanatoriums.

On the upside, there was so much to do, from sporting activities to shops, restaurants, bars and even a casino. There seemed to be something for everyone, making it ideal for large groups of varying ages.

The resort has two main centres, Dorf and Platz, which are about 2km apart. Transport is good, with buses around the town as well as the railway linking Dorf and Platz to Klosters and other villages. I strongly advise visitors to arm themselves with a bus and train timetable – and pay attention as it can feel a little complicated.

The easiest access to the slopes is from Dorf to the main Parsenn area, via the funicular.

There are some extensive slopes in the resorts, with some superb, long, and mostly easy pistes away from the lifts, with trains to bring you back to base. There is also plenty of accessible off-piste terrain.

What I didn’t like so much were the numerous T-bar lifts, and that the only piste back to town from the main Parsenn area is a very icy black run.

Overall, a ski holiday to Davos offers you access to six fantastic ski areas.

The resort is great for intermediate and advanced skiers, offering variety and mileage – try the 12km challenge from Weissfluhgipfel to Küblis. Or hit the black runs on Rinerhorn and Jakobshorn for extra thrills.

Davos also has a superb snow park on Jakobshorn, complete with wicked half-pipes and jumps. Combine this with the great off-piste terrain and you’ll see why this is also a very popular resort with snowboarders.

To re-energise, Davos offers a good choice of mountain restaurants such as Schwendi at Parsenn.

Klosters offers a contrast to the bustling town of Davos, managing to combine sophistication with a little rustic charm.

It was there we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Silveretta Park Hotel, which looks out on to the Silvretta mountain range, on the border with Austria. Although we didn’t stay there, there was such a warm and friendly atmosphere, it left a lasting impression. And the food was some of the best I have tasted. This is definitely somewhere I’d like to return.

But staying in Davos meant we were able to access two great resorts. Our base was the Sheraton Davos Wauldhuus – a family-friendly hotel in typical Graubünden-style, nestled between the golf course and forest.

Restaurant Waldhuus serves traditional Swiss dishes, with a dash of French flair. In the evenings, after an exhilarating day on the slopes, the hotel bar offers the perfect relaxation, sipping a cocktail or two with soft piano music in the background.

Its sister Sheraton Hotel, the Arabella, Seehof, has a great central location and also offers a similarly pleasing dining experience. It was there we had a celebratory meal following a great game of curling at Seehofselli, just opposite the hotel. It was my first experience of the ice sport, which is similar to bowls.

A horse-drawn carriage ride from our hotel to restaurant Teufi was the perfect way to end the trip. Teufi offers traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese fondue, homemade cake and ice cream specialities.

From culinary delights to exhilerating skiing, Davos and its neigbour left a lasting impression.